What is the primary cause of lower limb amputations?

• A. Trauma during accidents
• B. Vascular or metabolic disease
• C. Infections only
• D. Congenital limb anomalies

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that chronic circulatory and metabolic problems drive most lower-limb amputations. Vascular disease, especially from diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, is the leading cause in many settings. Diabetes often brings neuropathy and poor blood flow, which together produce non-healing foot ulcers. When ulcers become infected or the tissue becomes gangrenous and cannot be saved, amputation may be the necessary intervention to prevent life-threatening sepsis or to enable rehabilitation.

Trauma can cause amputations, but it is not the primary driver across populations. Infections can lead to removal of a limb, but they typically occur in the context of underlying vascular insufficiency or severe tissue damage. Congenital limb anomalies are relatively uncommon causes.